Here is the only effective key to your career in the AI era. How to care for your networking?
Networking is gaining importance, because many of us – especially those who work behind the desk – there are no more advantage that pandemic times gave when companies fought for people. Today, to get a new job, you have to try more.
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Added to this is the development of artificial intelligence, which takes over subsequent tasks, and sometimes full -time jobs. Therefore, companies become more selective in employment.
And if we add economic unknown, such as customs or high interest rates, which effectively cool the appetite of companies for recruitment, we have a bright signal: networking is not a seasonal fad, but something that is worth doing the same as healthy food or movement.
– Networking is more cultivation than hunting. It's about building and nurturing relationships with people – says Ivan Misner, founder of BNI, a business organization based on commands.
That is why in his opinion it is worth starting before we look for a job. Misner has been convincing for the strength of the relationship for years and recalls the comparison: the best time to plant the tree was 20 years ago, and the second is the best today.
– If someone has not planted their oak yet and has not started building contact networks, they should do it now – he emphasizes.
A favor for a favor
Networking has one more dimension today. It helps to break through in a world in which we constantly fight for attention. This is what Dorie Clark, communication trainer, lecturer Columbia Business School and author of the book “The Long Game” thinks.
– We react mostly to relationships with people we care about and whom we want to help – he says.
Interestingly, it is often not our closest friends who give us professional opportunities, but their further contacts. This is an example of the so -called Economics of favor.
– You help someone you barely know because you do a favor to a person you know well – explains Clark.
In the face of the threats related to the development of AI and the growing caution of companies against new recruitment, traditional relations become more than just a social curiosity.
– When jobs are like medicine, it is people who are ready to appear on your behalf, give you the greatest advantage – says Clark.
However, he warns to not rely on the social media. In her opinion, they only give the appearance of activity.
– This is the illusion of productive networking. An illusion of contact – he says.
Instead, it is worth focusing on more personal, tailor -made contact. Sometimes a message to a friend is enough, without expectations. You can share something that reminded you of him or simply write “hello”.
“If you are kind, specific, you refer to something that makes sense, and you do not ask for a favor – most people will be happy with such a gesture,” emphasizes Clark.
However, the Golden Standard is a live meeting.
Especially if the contact is fresh or concerns a person from a higher professional shelf, it is better not to start with too many requests.
“Do not ask for coffee, command and opinion to the portfolio at the same time,” he says.
Instead, Clark advises to think about what form of help will be the most natural and at what request the other party can react positively.
How to stand out
Networking has one more advantage: it allows you to get out of the crowd. – When one job advertisement is influenced by a hundred CV, even with the help of automatic managers, it is difficult to embrace it all – notes Gorick NG, a career advisor from Harvard University and the author of the book “The Unspoken Rules”.
What attracts attention? Often not a perfect biography, but a short conversation in the corridor.
– Someone looks and says: “My niece is looking for a job, you have a moment to take a look at her CV?” Or a colleague from the company recommends a former colleague, saying: “A nice man, you can trust him,” says NG.
– And suddenly someone you don't know gets an advantage, because behind the scenes someone supports him and says: “Just hire him” – he adds.
That is why it is so important to be seen, be remembered and present.
– It is difficult to admire the candidate who is only a Word file, which may not even open – he sums up.
The article is a translation from the American edition of Business Insider.
